The Pan-Mass Challenge

Hillel’s gearing up for this year’s Pan Mass Challenge.

Was ist das, you might ask.

The Pan-Mass Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1980, the PMC has successfully melded support from committed cyclists, volunteers, corporate sponsors and individual contributors. All are essential to the PMC's goal and model: to attain maximum fundraising efficiency while increasing its annual gift. Our hope and aspiration is to provide Dana-Farber's doctors and researchers with the necessary resources to discover cures for all cancers. (source)

Hillel does this wild, draining, incredible, 190 mile marathon every year or close to it. Here, read his words:

Dear friends and family,

Until recently, I thought this would be an unusual year. I started riding the Pan-Mass Challenge in 2003 and just about every year since then, someone I know has been diagnosed or succumbed to cancer. I had hoped that this year would be an exception. Alas, I dedicate this ride to the memory of Howard Saltzberg. I wouldn’t say he succumbed – Howard never surrendered to much of anything – but he lost his battle with cancer and leaves a hole in our lives.

Cancer is part of the fabric of our times. There is no cure, as such, because it is far too complex and is brought about by innumerable environmental, genetic, and random factors. While we cannot realistically hope for a cure, we can still do a lot to mitigate, even eliminate, symptoms, ensure that victims and their families live long lives with strength and dignity, and in more and more cases, beat back the evils cells until they have no impact at all.

That’s what the good folks at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute do. And as I’ve done since 2003, I ask you to help them in their work. The PMC provides about 40 percent of Dana-Farber’s unrestricted budget. That’s a lot of research, clinical trials, and compassionate care giving that you have helped make happen. Please continue to do so by kicking into my PMC campaign. I’m putting in the training miles so I’m prepared to ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown on August 6 and 7. All you need to do is put in a few shekels. Preferably more than a few.

You know the drill: click right here and put in as big an amount as you can manage. With your help, perhaps next year will be the unusual one. Thank you so much for helping us get there.

See you on the road.

~~~~~~~~~
So then, open up the ol’ wallet and pledge – you know you want to.